Accountant II

City of Chesapeake Department of Public Works
Are you an experienced accounting professional who can turn complex financial information into accurate reporting, practical solutions, and reliable support for departmental operations?


The City of Chesapeake Department of Public Works is seeking an Accountant II who will help ensure the accurate recording, reconciliation, analysis, and reporting of departmental revenues and expenditures. The Accountant II will research accounting issues, identify discrepancies, recommend solutions, and support the Department's financial and administrative operations.


What Success Looks Like



As the Accountant II , you will:

• Produce accurate journal entries, reconciliations, and monthly financial reports that support sound financial decision making.
• Monitor revenues, expenditures, project balances, and encumbrances to identify discrepancies and resolve accounting issues promptly.
• Analyze financial activity and recommend effective strategies and procedures for addressing account variances, billing concerns, and project related accounting needs.
• Maintain accurate financial information across Munis, project management tools, and internal tracking logs.
• Prepare complete and accurate fiscal year end audit documentation required by the City's external auditors.
• Coordinate financial activities across all Public Works divisions, including capital project accounting, debt allocation, budget preparation, payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
• Successfully administer assigned special projects, including year end reconciliations, grant closeouts, Capital Improvement Program rollovers, and specialized financial initiatives.
• Build productive working relationships with Public Works staff, the Finance Department, the Budget Office, and external agencies to verify information, resolve concerns, and provide technical accounting support.
• Provide dependable backup support to the Department's designated fiscal and administrative leadership to ensure continuity of operations.

Key Responsibilities



The Accountant II will:

• Research and analyze financial and accounting records related to Public Works operations to identify process sequences, discrepancies, and required account resolutions.
• Prepare, enter, and audit journal entries involving payroll adjustments, expenditure transfers, revenue allocations, and month end closing requirements.
• Recommend, plan, implement, and administer solutions for account variances, billing issues, project related accounting needs, and other financial matters affecting Public Works programs.
• Coordinate and participate in processing financial data related to capital projects, debt allocation, operational and Capital Improvement Program budgets, payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
• Prepare, audit, and maintain financial reports, including expenditure analyses, project cost tracking, budget monitoring, and grant or reimbursement documentation.
• Verify, monitor, and reconcile departmental accounts, project balances, encumbrances, and supporting documentation to ensure compliance with City policies and financial standards.
• Collect, enter, update, and maintain accurate financial data in multiple Public Works systems.
• Work with Public Works divisions, the Finance Department, the Budget Office, and external agencies to verify data, resolve issues, respond to inquiries, and provide technical accounting support.
• Administer assigned accounting projects and financial initiatives.
• Provide supervision and guidance to subordinate administrative or accounting staff as needed.
• Assist with implementing policies and procedures and provide requested documentation in support of internal and external audits.
• Review and approve journal entries, requisitions, invoice payments, and financial reports when serving as backup to fiscal and administrative leadership.
• Assist with budget monitoring and departmental financial activities.
• Attend or conduct departmental meetings and participate in training sessions, seminars, and workshops to maintain accounting expertise and knowledge of City financial systems.
• Research historical accounting data, audit internal practices, and help streamline workflow processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the financial operations of Public Works.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

Vocational/Educational Requirement: Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or closely related field. Master's degree in accounting, business, public administration or a related field desired.

Experience: In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of three years of related, full-time equivalent experience.

Special Certifications and Licenses: Depending on department operational needs, may require valid driver's license and driving record in compliance with City Driving Standards . Certified Public Accountant certification desired.


Special Requirements: Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of governmental accounting experience
• PeopleSoft experience
• Strong accounting research and analysis skills
• Advanced Excel skills
• Ability to work well with minimum supervision and to interact well with others